Inexess Bleu returns, Elitloppet invite secured

by Thomas Hedlund

Top trotter Inexess Bleu made his comeback in the $105,000 Prix du Bois de Vincennes at Vincennes on Saturday (March 21), but the gelding looked a bit rusty and was never a serious contender for victory.

Instead, Alexandre Abrivard settled mid-pack in second- to third-over with race favorite Ino du Lupin (Scipion du Goutier) driven by Antoine Wiels.

Ino du Lupin launched a move three-wide down the backstretch and, with 800 meters to go, the Jean-Paul Marmion-trained 8-year-old advanced to the outside of leader Cobra Killer Gar. In the stretch, he wore down the leader and pulled clear to win in a 1:57 mile rate over 2,850 meters.

Kobayashi (Face Time Bourbon) found room along the inside late and finished strongly for second, while Cobra Killer Gar (Readly Express) held on for third.

Inexess Bleu showed little punch in the stretch but was not disgraced, finishing sixth without being far behind. He is expected to improve significantly with the race under his belt.

TICKET TO SOLVALLA

Later that evening, it was also announced that Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brevol) has received the second invitation to the Elitloppet at Solvalla this year. Go On Boy, the title defender, was invited one week ago and yesterday it was time for another brilliant French trotter to be invited.

Solvalla’s racing director Ola Lernå confirmed that Inexess Bleu was at the very top of his wish list for this year’s race, while trainer Laurent-Claude Abrivard expressed his satisfaction with the invitation.

KARMABAR IMPRESSIVE WINNER

Laurent-Claude Abrivard also celebrated victory with Karmabar (Dollar Macker) in the $90,000 Prix Jean Cabrol.

The heavily favored Karmabar took over the lead from Chitchat with 1,300 meters remaining and then cruised home unchallenged for Alexandre Abrivard, stopping the clock in a sharp 1:55 mile rate over 2,700 meters.